Mountain Lion Sighting Prompts Reminder From San Ramon Police

SAN RAMON, CA — Police this week alerted residents to a mountain lion spotted in the Thomas Ranch area along Norris Canyon Road near San Ramon. On Dec. 23, a trail camera captured a clear photo of the big cat at about 8:30 p.m.

Authorities acknowledge that mountain lions live in the rural areas but sightings and photos of the big cats are fairly rare. Police said they alerted the Contra Costa County Animal Control and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife of the male mountain lion.

In October, a wayward mountain lion made national headlines after he was found hunkered down in the bushes of a commercial business park in Pleasanton. Authorities safely captured the young animal and released it several hours later in the Sunol Regional Wilderness area.

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While it would be rare for a mountain lion to approach humans, you can follow a few simple rules to keep you and your family safe:

• Do not feed deer. It is illegal in California and it will attract mountain lions.
• If you see a mountain lion DO NOT APPROACH IT, especially one that is feeding or with offspring. Most mountain lions will try to avoid confrontation.
• Avoid hiking or jogging through wooded areas when mountain lions are most active—dawn, dusk, or at night.
• Keep a close watch on small children when hiking or traveling in or about wooded areas.
• If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children.
• For more information about mountain lions click here www.keepmewild.org

Stock photo courtesy Shutterstock